20307
Advisors: Megan Martinez (Gila Pueblo), Heather Perry (Payson)
The Phlebotomist Technician Certificate of Proficiency program prepares students for a career as healthcare professionals responsible for the collection of patient specimens. Students are trained to obtain blood specimens through skin puncture or venipuncture for all age groups. Upon completion of this certificate program, students are eligible to sit for the American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certification Examination to be certified as a Registered Phlebotomist Technician (RPT).
Phlebotomists collect fluid and tissue samples, explain procedures to patients, and perform standard lab tests. Key subjects include ethics, infection control, communication, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. Their duties involve assembling equipment, verifying patient identities, documenting information, sterilizing equipment, and labeling blood samples accurately.
Students in the Phlebotomy Technician program will work with potentially infectious materials. Therefore, students must provide proof of a current TB skin test, a clear chest X-ray, or a healthcare provider’s statement confirming they are symptom-free for pulmonary tuberculosis. Additionally, documentation of MMR and Hepatitis B vaccinations is required.
AMT may deny an application if an applicant has any convictions involving a felony.
Courses in the program and clinical sites may require additional vaccinations or other medical tests. See specific course descriptions for information or contact the advisor of this program.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate blood specimen collection using aseptic technique and blood tube sequence.
- Describe confidentiality within the healthcare setting in regards to HIPAA standards.
- Recognize and demonstrate use and necessity of universal precautions in the field of healthcare.
- Summarize standards of ethics and integrity used while functioning as a phlebotomist.
Curriculum Requirements
Curriculum Related Requirements
Select 0 to 2 credits from the following courses:
In order to obtain this certificate, you must:
- Complete each required course above with a grade of “C” or better.
- File a petition for the certificate.
- Remove any indebtedness to the college.
- Complete at least 50% of the credits at Gila Community College.
Check the catalog for other changes and requirements.
See list of Optional Classes in the catalog
Notes
Upon completion of the Phlebotomist Technician certificate program, students are eligible to sit for the American Medical Technologists (AMT) certification examination. Total didactic clock hours required for certification is 120 hours plus 50 successful venipunctures and 10 successful capillary punctures from human sources.
The foregoing is a recommended, or suggested, sequence of courses. If a student enters the program in the Spring, or transfers credit in, the above would have to be modified.
If a student is interested in working at a hospital, the student may want to consider the Medical Laboratory Assistant certificate instead.
- Courses in the program may require vaccinations or other medical tests. See course descriptions in the catalog for additional information.
- Helpful website: http://www.americanmedtech.org (American Medical Technologists)